WATCH: Zululand visited by different kind of elephant
Appearing in good health, it is believed the visitor came ashore to rest before heading back out to sea
WITH the Big 5 Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserve on our doorstep, Zululand is synonymous with elephants.
But a different kind of elephant recently graced our shores with its presence – an elephant seal.
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It is believed the seal came ashore 500m south of Mtunzini’s main swimming beach and spent some time resting before energetically bouncing down the beach before heading back into the sea.
Seals are not resident on KZN’s shores and, while they do at times strand on our coastline, this individual appears to be in the peak of health.
Both the northern and southern species of elephant seal were hunted to the brink of extinction for oil by the end of the 19th century, but their numbers have since recovered.
They can weigh up to 5 000kg and are considered true seals, characterised by having no external ear, and reduced limbs.
Elephant seals spend 90% of their lives underwater in search of food and can cover 100km/day.
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